Denise D'Ascenzo

Denise D'Ascenzo Cooke (January 30, 1958 – December 7, 2019) was an American television news anchorwoman at WFSB-TV in Hartford, Connecticut. She worked there for 33 years (1986–2019), becoming the longest-serving anchor at WFSB-TV. D'Ascenzo was also the longest-serving news anchor at any Connecticut television station.[1]

Denise D'Ascenzo
Born(1958-01-30)January 30, 1958
Washington, D.C.
DiedDecember 7, 2019(2019-12-07) (aged 61)
Branford, Connecticut
OccupationNews anchorwoman
Years active1981–2019

Early life and career

Born in Washington, D.C., D'Ascenzo grew up in suburban Rockville, Maryland. The daughter of Salvatore Joseph D'Ascenzo (1925–2000) and Rita D'Ascenzo, she was one of four sisters. Denise's three sisters also have "D" names: Donna, Diane, and Debbie.[2]

At an early age, she became interested in journalism: at age 12, she started the first newspaper in her grammar school; she later on became editor-in-chief of her high school newspaper.[3]

D'Ascenzo was the first person to receive a scholarship from the American Newspaper Women's Club, which allowed her to attend a summer journalism program at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

In 1981, during her senior year at Syracuse University, D'Ascenzo landed her first television job at WIXT-TV in Syracuse, where she reported on the weather forecast segment. After graduating magna cum laude from Syracuse with dual degrees in broadcast journalism and political science, she began working full-time as a reporter for WIXT.

D'Ascenzo later worked in St. Louis as a reporter and a talk show host at KSDK-TV. She then moved to Cleveland as a news anchor for WJKW-TV.[4]

For 33 years, from 1986 until her death in 2019, she worked at WFSB-TV, becoming the longest-serving anchor at the station. At the time of her death, D'Ascenzo was also the longest-serving news anchor at any Connecticut television station.[5]

Awards

D'Ascenzo won 12 Emmy Awards, including one for Best Anchor. She also received two Edward R. Murrow Awards, seven Associated Press Awards, and a national Gabriel Award for her work.[6][7]

In 2013, she was inducted to the Silver Circle, an honor bestowed by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for her contributions to broadcasting.[8][9][10]

In that same year, D'Ascenzo was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Quinnipiac University.[11]

In 2015, she became the first woman to be inducted into the Connecticut Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.[12]

Personal life and death

D'Ascenzo was married to her husband Wayne Cooke (born 1955) and have one daughter, Kathryn Cooke (born 1997).[13]

On December 7, 2019, D’Ascenzo passed away in her sleep at her Branford, Connecticut, home. She was 61 years old. Her family suspects that the cause of death was a heart attack.[14]

On January 29, 2020, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced that he had signed a proclamation declaring Thursday, January 30, 2020, as "Denise D'Ascenzo Day" in the State of Connecticut in recognition of the news anchor’s birthday.[15]

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See also

References
  1. "Denise D'Ascenzo Dies: Emmy Winning News Anchor For WFSB-TV In Connecticut Was 61" from Deadline Hollywood (December 8, 2019)
  2. Denise D’Ascenzo’s Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
  3. Family suspects WFSB-TV news anchor Denise D’Ascenzo died from a heart attack
  4. Family suspects WFSB-TV news anchor Denise D’Ascenzo died from a heart attack
  5. "Denise D'Ascenzo Dies: Emmy Winning News Anchor For WFSB-TV In Connecticut Was 61" from Deadline Hollywood (December 8, 2019)
  6. "Denise D'Ascenzo, iconic Connecticut news anchor, has died at age 61". CBS News. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 9 December 2019. Longtime and award-winning news anchor of CBS Connecticut affiliate WFSB-TV, Denise D'Ascenzo, died suddenly at her home Saturday night, according to the television station. She was 61. [..] Throughout her career D'Ascenzo has won a total of 11 Emmys, including an Emmy for Best Anchor, two Edward R. Murrow awards, seven Associated Press awards and a national Gabriel Award.
  7. Jim Shay (9 December 2019). "Denise D'Ascenzo: 10 things to know about the WFSB news anchor". Connecticut Post.
  8. NATAS Honors New England Broadcasting Superstars
  9. 2013 Silver Circle Awards
  10. Longtime WFSB family member and friend, Denise D'Ascenzo, passes away
  11. Longtime WFSB family member and friend, Denise D'Ascenzo, passes away
  12. Denise D'Ascenzo, iconic Connecticut news anchor, has died at age 61
  13. Denise D'Ascenzo Dies Aged 61 - Top 5 Facts About the WFSB Anchor
  14. Family suspects WFSB-TV news anchor Denise D'Ascenzo died from a heart attack
  15. Governor Lamont Declares 'Denise D'Ascenzo Day' Thursday to Mark Legendary News Anchor's Birthday
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